Before the UK's 2024 general election, Labour's manifesto promised to "put fans back at the heart of events" by ending - or seriously curtailing - ticket touting.
Then, following a consultation, in November 2025, the government made a big announcement. Action seemed imminent.
It seemed so very close. In fact, you might remember that I excitedly recorded a podcast with Adam Webb from the FanFair Alliance who have been campaigning for laws around "secondary ticketing" - as it's politely known - for many years.
So here we are in April 2026. Nearly two years since Labour were elected in a loveless landslide. And yet, there's still no legislation despite their manifesto pledge on something as hugely popular as protecting music fans from profiteering. And both the Music Fans' Voice survey that 8000+ of you filled in and the Fan-Led Review of Live Music, double-underlined in thick red pen just have fans feel about touts.
Not only is there no action since November but various sources suggest rumblings that the Ticketing Bill may not even appear in the King's Speech on 13th May 2026.
Somewhat stunned but hardly surprised, I've recorded podcast this week to kick off season six of the pod about a letter written by consumer rights experts Which?, which was co-signed by pretty much every live music industry trade body and the big live music organisations, from Music Venue Trust to Live Nation. I've popped the letter to the PM at the end of this email if you fancy a read.
It's an urgent and really revealing conversation for every music fan trying to get their head around this mess we're in...
Here's a quick taste of the podcast:
While we wait for "Sir" Keir to make good on his promise, the touts are doing very well. How well? Here's some statistics:
- Ticket resellers are on track to pocket an estimated £24 million from fans this summer alone.
- A Harry Styles ticket with a £200 face value was listed for £3,622.
- An Ariana Grande ticket at £135 face value listed for £2,835.
- A BTS ticket at £450 face value listed for £4,872. That's a 312% markup.
- And one ticket we discuss on this week's podcast was available on Viagogo for a whopping £114,666.
None of this money goes back to the artists, the venues, or anyone in the music ecosystem. It flows to bots, sometimes to international criminal operations, and regularly to people from Dubai to Delaware.
The government's own analysis says a price cap would save fans £112 million a year. 91% of over 8,000 music fans surveyed said resale above face value should be outlawed.
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee's independent fan-led review of live music, published a few weeks ago, echoes the call to the government: act without delay.
The window is closing. If the bill is not in the King's Speech, there is no parliamentary timetable, no accountability, and no guarantee it ever happens.
This week on the Drowned in Sound podcast
I sat down with Which? spokesperson Kat Cereda and my new co-host Helena Wadia (of the brilliant Media Storm podcast but previously at NME, Line of Best Fit and other places raving about the music she loves) to dig into the letter, the numbers, Which?'s previous campaigns around music fans being fleeced, and to reveal what fans can actually do.
And if you feel strongly about this, tag your MP on this clip on our Insta. Share the episode. Repost the Which? letter (see below).
Don't know who your MP is? This website is super handy, just pop in your postcode and then forward them this email with a polite note.
TL;DR? The touts and the big corporate platforms they operate on are counting on fans feeling hopeless. They're hoping we don't bother nudging those in power who promised to protect us to act. Let's prove them wrong.
Drowned in Sound has been championing independent music and empowering music fans for 25 years. If someone forwarded you this email, you can sign up at drownedinsound.org
Hannah Downes
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